Welcome to
our site

Thank you for taking an interest in Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority website. We hope you find it easy and interesting to explore with the information you need. Perhaps it inspires you to discover more about the marine environment and fisheries along the Sussex coast and how abundant and diverse the marine fora and flora are.

We know many of you are increasingly interested in our seas and how they are managed and protected, so we’ve tried to include information that will meet everyone ’s needs.

For those who are interested in the marine biology, the site contains detailed information on some of the most well known finfish and shellfish species that live in the area..

If you are either a commercial or recreational fishermen you can access information on local fisheries regulations and download documents to help you understand the rules and why we manage fishing.

For those who want to find out more about fisheries management you can access our plans to further improve management and how you can become involved in the process. If you have something you want to say about the work we are doing or the information we provide please let us know.

Through the stated IFCA ‘Vision’ we are committed to the sustainable management of Sussex marine fisheries and the conservation of the environment for everyone. Our team is committed to improve the future for Sussex coastal waters with you.

Latest
News

Get involved

We are currently consulting informally on our netting regulations. If you would like to get involved then please see our
Live Consultations
page. .

A better protected Sussex Blue Belt

We have worked with the community to get protection for the Sussex
blue belt
conservation sites. New fisheries management is now in place for Kingmere and Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zones. This will protect the special marine wildlife of these sites.

To protect the vulnerable bass popluation in European seas new regulation is in place. Sussex IFCA and the Marine Mangement Organisation are implementing these EU reglations
Read More

Sussex Shellfish Permit Byelaw

We have brought in mangement of our Sussex shellfisheries for their long term sustainability. If you fish for lobster, crab, whelk, cuttlefish or prawns in Sussex District you will need a shellfish permit from the IFCA.

As part of the byelaw support there is guidance for commercial and recreational fishers.
read more

Clear Seas
We have worked with the Environment Agency and partners to create some simple guides on how boat users can help protect the marine environment for wildlife and for future generations
here

People in Sussex can all enjoy the beaches and sea around us, from divers, swimmers, anglers, commercial fishers and sailors to people walking along the beaches and cliff tops taking in the sights. How many people know about what’s under the sea, and about the fishing that it supports? The dolphins that frequent the sea around Brighton and the seals that haul out in Chichester Harbour are flagship Sussex species that indicate the incredible marine wildlife that exists more often out of sight.

There is a diverse commercial fishing fleet that operate off the Sussex Coast. Many boats are under 10m in length and operate inshore, usually within six nautical miles (nm) of the coast. These boats land their catch daily. Most of the fleet operate throughout the year in pursuit of whichever fish or shellfish (and or quota) is available during the season. For example sole are fished in the spring and autumn, bass are targeted in the summer and cod in the winter. There is a thriving recreational sea fishery from the shore and from a fleet of private boats and charter vessels.